I don't think we plan to use Okoye as a DE at all, but a fullback? It is a hell of a lot easier to develop technique for fullback than it is for DE or DT. We have in the past used Demarcus Dobbs, Sopoaga, Tukalufu, Kilgore. Okoye has some experience running with a rugby ball (they hold it so awkwardly), he would be faster and bigger than any player Harbs has had before. I really do think he makes the 53 man roster. Bruce Miller better stay on your toes.

I know what you mean, but I feel like that would be a bit of a waste; Miller is basically a probowl fullback already to me. I think he's that good and it's only a matter of time before he gets that recognition. While it may be harder to develop him into someone on the defensive line, it also represents higher value to the team in a long term perspective I think. To me there's no reason to try him at fullback when you basically only need one and we already have one of the best ones in the nfl.

We were good for 3-5 plays a game from the super Jumbo package and those are the situations I am talking about. Miller is good but he isn't physically superior to everyone he is going up against like Okoye would be. He still is a long shot but If he wanted to make an impact soon his best chance is in those jumbo packages

Oh, if that's all we are talking about, then i would absolutely agree. Curious, anyone know about Okoye's speed? one of the things that always bugged me when we put in those bigger guys was that they (and the offensive line) weren't getting a great push; I always thought that was because the guys we used (soap, etc), just lacked a great initial burst off the line offensively or defensively. The concept was sound, but I think you really want to put someone in there that is big and strong like that, but has a very good initial step/explosion.

A big +1. I think our "jumbo pacckage" is pretty much a waste. The theory is that those big guys can drive guys off the line. But in practice all it does it bunch up several tons of beef at the los and there are rarely many holes to run through. Even the lbs and dbs come crashing in since they hae little ersponsibiity to cover receivers.

I think it's time to just give up on the jumbo.

Give up on it or mix in more stuff. I've always been a fan of spreading things out at the goal line. It's the complete opposite of what the jumbo does and it clears out the middle. With a guy like Kap, it puts immense stress on the defense._________________

I think the Okoye pick up is the reason we didn't choose Hunt, which is who a lot of people had us choosing in either of the 1st 2 rounds. He is a similar prospect with more upside given his young age (only 21 v Hunt who is 26 in a few months) and his physical ability and drive.

I think Tank Carradine is the reason we didn't take Hunt in the 2nd, though who knows how the team actually had Hunt rated on our board. My guess is that they liked him, though, which is why they were willing to risk losing Carradine with the trade-down. Just spec, but I would imagine they were looking at both men there and liked Carradine better, but would have taken Hunt had Tank been gone by that point.

Okoye is certainly an interesting signing. Getting him in to work with Jim Tomsula is exciting, because Tomsula is an outstanding coach and there is no question about this guy's athletic ability, intelligence and drive. I really doubt he's anything more than a PS player in 2013, but he certainly seems to pick up skills quickly, so we shall see. I really like that the FO continues to swing for the fences with guys who are extremely gifted athletically, and trusts in the coaching staff's ability to mold them into good NFL players. Who knows...Okoye could turn out to be the best player from this year's rookie class, or he could be nothing more than a footnote in 49ers history.

It is refreshing to see that San Francisco is again a place where players want to play, reminiscent of the good old days under Eddie D where everybody and their sister wanted to wear the Red and Gold because we ran the classiest and best-managed organization in the league. Okoye is a very bright man who could be studying at Oxford right now if he'd wanted to, and I imagine he could have signed with any team. The fact that he chose San Francisco in spite of the roster and the odds against him playing anytime soon suggests to me that we hit him with a really good sales pitch, and that he was impressed by the quality of the men who are running this organization - which doesn't surprise me, as I am impressed by them, as well.

I'm surprised we didn't sign a K in UDFA. Have any K's even signed as a UDFA? It feels like there's Sturgis and Hopkins who were drafted and thats it._________________-Not taking this off until the 49ers win #6

I don't think we plan to use Okoye as a DE at all, but a fullback? It is a hell of a lot easier to develop technique for fullback than it is for DE or DT. We have in the past used Demarcus Dobbs, Sopoaga, Tukalufu, Kilgore. Okoye has some experience running with a rugby ball (they hold it so awkwardly), he would be faster and bigger than any player Harbs has had before. I really do think he makes the 53 man roster. Bruce Miller better stay on your toes.

I know what you mean, but I feel like that would be a bit of a waste; Miller is basically a probowl fullback already to me. I think he's that good and it's only a matter of time before he gets that recognition. While it may be harder to develop him into someone on the defensive line, it also represents higher value to the team in a long term perspective I think. To me there's no reason to try him at fullback when you basically only need one and we already have one of the best ones in the nfl.

We were good for 3-5 plays a game from the super Jumbo package and those are the situations I am talking about. Miller is good but he isn't physically superior to everyone he is going up against like Okoye would be. He still is a long shot but If he wanted to make an impact soon his best chance is in those jumbo packages

Oh, if that's all we are talking about, then i would absolutely agree. Curious, anyone know about Okoye's speed? one of the things that always bugged me when we put in those bigger guys was that they (and the offensive line) weren't getting a great push; I always thought that was because the guys we used (soap, etc), just lacked a great initial burst off the line offensively or defensively. The concept was sound, but I think you really want to put someone in there that is big and strong like that, but has a very good initial step/explosion.

A big +1. I think our "jumbo pacckage" is pretty much a waste. The theory is that those big guys can drive guys off the line. But in practice all it does it bunch up several tons of beef at the los and there are rarely many holes to run through. Even the lbs and dbs come crashing in since they hae little ersponsibiity to cover receivers.

I think it's time to just give up on the jumbo.

Give up on it or mix in more stuff. I've always been a fan of spreading things out at the goal line. It's the complete opposite of what the jumbo does and it clears out the middle. With a guy like Kap, it puts immense stress on the defense.

What do any of us really know about football theory. But this just makes so much sense. Spread guys out wide and every one of them will take a defender with him. Plus a S or two might have to play a step deeper and hold back a split second extra to see if it's a run or pass. Seems to me that's just as effective as practically telling them were going to run and just expect we're strong enough to win at the LOS even though they know a run is coming._________________

Last edited by big9erfan on Wed May 01, 2013 4:45 am; edited 2 times in total

I'd like to see a fade to staley out of the jumbo.. hes arguably the most athletic olineman in the league, and if he could slip out while that giant pile builds up he'd be wide open_________________-kiltman

I think the Okoye pick up is the reason we didn't choose Hunt, which is who a lot of people had us choosing in either of the 1st 2 rounds. He is a similar prospect with more upside given his young age (only 21 v Hunt who is 26 in a few months) and his physical ability and drive.

I think Tank Carradine is the reason we didn't take Hunt in the 2nd, though who knows how the team actually had Hunt rated on our board. My guess is that they liked him, though, which is why they were willing to risk losing Carradine with the trade-down. Just spec, but I would imagine they were looking at both men there and liked Carradine better, but would have taken Hunt had Tank been gone by that point.

Okoye is certainly an interesting signing. Getting him in to work with Jim Tomsula is exciting, because Tomsula is an outstanding coach and there is no question about this guy's athletic ability, intelligence and drive. I really doubt he's anything more than a PS player in 2013, but he certainly seems to pick up skills quickly, so we shall see. I really like that the FO continues to swing for the fences with guys who are extremely gifted athletically, and trusts in the coaching staff's ability to mold them into good NFL players. Who knows...Okoye could turn out to be the best player from this year's rookie class, or he could be nothing more than a footnote in 49ers history.

It is refreshing to see that San Francisco is again a place where players want to play, reminiscent of the good old days under Eddie D where everybody and their sister wanted to wear the Red and Gold because we ran the classiest and best-managed organization in the league. Okoye is a very bright man who could be studying at Oxford right now if he'd wanted to, and I imagine he could have signed with any team. The fact that he chose San Francisco in spite of the roster and the odds against him playing anytime soon suggests to me that we hit him with a really good sales pitch, and that he was impressed by the quality of the men who are running this organization - which doesn't surprise me, as I am impressed by them, as well.

Could even be that Errtz was in the mix and if lasted but Tank didn't that we might have been happy with him and then looked for a DE._________________

impressive... I doubt we have the room for him, but he can battle that 7th rd corner for a spot on the PS. looks like he could develop into a nice NCB.

Can't teach speed, but maybe we can teach him enough technique to go with his speed to turn him into a roster candidate

Watching that link yesterday, I came away impressed. Kid plays the ball and tackles like a 6' 2" corner. Looked like he would be an elite STs gunner also. I wouldn't bet against him just yet._________________

impressive... I doubt we have the room for him, but he can battle that 7th rd corner for a spot on the PS. looks like he could develop into a nice NCB.

Can't teach speed, but maybe we can teach him enough technique to go with his speed to turn him into a roster candidate

Watching that link yesterday, I came away impressed. Kid plays the ball and tackles like a 6' 2" corner. Looked like he would be an elite STs gunner also. I wouldn't bet against him just yet.

Plus, our punt return game is still a giant question and a total mess. with that kind of speed, if he can be a good special team gunner and return punts, he'd have some definite value to us._________________

“I just want to make the team first,” Morris said. “Then everything will sort itself out.” Morris took a while to decide on his future, but settled on the 49ers once he took a look at their roster. “They wanted me a whole lot and they have a lot of older cornerbacks,” Morris said. “They want to get some young talent in there. If it’s not my year to be a starter, I can still learn from some really good guys.”

Nothing else of interest in the link... not that this is terribly interesting either._________________